The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-02-17
Present and Prospective Financial
Condition of the University.


Condition of the University.
In view of the fact that surprise has
been expressed that the University build
ing at Austin has never been finished, nor
any a.ten pt been maze to set on foot the
medical department at Galveston; and, in
view of the fact that the Agrioul-
tural and Mechanical college
lege at Bryan is claiming large part of
the available fund of the University, it is
deemed proper to set forth plainly, and in
detail, the present and prospective finan-
cial condition of this institution. 1t is
believed that it Is necessary to bring only
plain statement of facts before the pub
lie in order that it may be seen that these
have been good reasons for the delay in
the case of the building at Austin, and of
the medical school at Galveston; and also,
in order that it may be seen that the
claim of the Bryan school is preposter
Gus and unreasonable. Round numbers
wi / be used, as the intention is only to
The university has an income, derived
mainly from its bonds amounting to
$4,000. The annual expenses on $44 1000,
in case the lands are placed under the
management of the regents, it is be-
lieved that in one year at loast one mil
lion acres can be rented at cents per
acre net. This will produce at the end of
the two years, $4,000 1t may be posi-
BILE the end of the year, to lease the second
million acres; if SO, at the end of the
fourth year the University will have an
accumulated available fund of 100000.
A A Al e h. ha
present time, or in 1892, $240,000.
Out of this amount the regents will then
be able to set aside the following:
For completing main building. $1S0,000
For completing mess halls..... 10000
Additional professors in acad-
emic department. 10000
Balance. 10000
$240,O0O
At end of sixth year, deducting
the 100000 for increase in
the academic department, and adding the
above balance, there will be on hand from
loans, etc. the sum of 100000; at end
of seventh year, $110,000;a at end of eight tn
year, 100000. Then the regents could
set aside $4,000 for medical buildings
at Galveston, with $4,000 as running ex-
penses for the first year. The next year,
or nine years from now, and every year
thereafter, $4,000 could be given to Gal
weston which would make the medical
school there one of the finest in the coun-
try. After the ninth year, or in 1896,
there would be about $4,000 over and
above the amounts needed in Austin and
Galveston. This could be allowed to ac-
cumulate until il became sufficient to be-
gin work in the colored branch building
As soon as that building is completed the
$4,000 can be appropriated for the run
ming expenses of that branch.
This solution is confessedly paper
one, but it is honestly believed that if the
regents get control of their lands, and
none of their funds are Diverted it can be
carried out.
1t may also be said that the time to &C
complish these results is too long. In
reply, l beg leave to call attention to the
fact that it has been nearly fifty years
since the University was first conceived
and now, If it can be completed and mag
nifciently equipped within ten years, the
time is insignificant. Attention is also
called to the fact that this arrangement
will not cost the state one cent. All that
is necessary is to let the University have
what morally and legally belongs to it.
1t will be seen from the above that all
the prospective available fund of the Uni
versity for the next ten years is needed to
bring the main University, the medical
department and the colored brach up to
a state of efficiency, so far as buildings
and equipments are concerned, compat-
able with that already possessed by the
school at Bryan. 1t is nothing but fail
that this should be the case. The state
has already given the A. and M, outside
of its income, about $270,000. This has
been used to establish its plant. At the
end of ten years the main University anc
the other branches, if allowed to use THEN
own money, can be carried this
point. At the end of twelve years
the leases of the university
land will have expired, and the chances
are, as these will have wells and be fenced
that they will lease for more than foui
cents per acre, and arrangements agree
able to the parties can, perhaps, then bt
made.
But, on the other hand, if the Bryan
school is allowed to have one third or two
ffths Of the University's income, the com
pletion of the main building and thl
establishment of the medical department
will be indefinitely postponed. and th'
benefits of a completed University will
perhaps, be enjoyed by the citizens OF
Texas during the next century.
THos. ID. WooTEN,
Pres. Board Regents U. I.
Ihave a large number Of two horsl